Corbynmania went into orbit when the Labour leadership frontrunner revealed he would reopen coal mines if he becomes Prime Minister.

Bookies favourite Jeremy Corbyn has unveiled his vision for the country, which includes nationalising parts of the gas and electricity sector and “where you can” reopening pits.

He hopes to mine for clean coal burning - an eco-friendly method of using the energy while containing the harmful emissions coal can give off.

When asked by the BBC whether harnessing more coal would mean reopening North pits, he said: “Where you can re-open pits, yes, and where you can do clean burn coal technology, yes.

“I think we can develop coal technology. Let's do so because energy prices around the world are going up. Open cast mining is not acceptable, deep mined coal is possible and is an alternative.”

Miners at the Morrison Busty Colliery. 24th February 1971

The news was welcomed with open arms by Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery, a former president of the National Union of Mineworkers.

He said: “Jeremy’s comments are responsible and both economically and environmentally sensible. Deep mined coal production and consumption is on the increase internationally. In the winter months coal still produces on average 50% of the electricity generated in the UK.

“It is widely accepted that coal needs to be burned cleanly, that’s why it’s imperative that the Government press ahead with carbon capture and storage programmes to ensure coal is burned cleanly and at the same time cutting the nation’s emission levels and meeting our binding emission level reduction targets.

“It is eminently sensible to map out a future for indigenous deep mined coal production to secure the increased future energy requirements of the UK. Remember Coal burn is set to increase, we can’t afford to lag behind our international counterparts.”

Last day at Ellington Colliery, February 1994

City analysts estimated the changes to the energy sector could cost the Government as much as £185bn. But the Islington MP’s pledges are proving popular with Labour’s core vote as Mr Corbyn also wants to reverse welfare cuts, oppose further spending cuts and axe tuition fees.

And the hype around the 66-year-old left-winger shows no sign of abating as an event at Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre on Tuesday August 18 sold out in an hour earlier this week.